American Soldier Network a 501c3 non profit organization

Christmas for our combat wounded & the Marine 5th Regiment

2010-12-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas for our combat wounded & the Marine 5th Regiment

Our 4th annual Christmas project was again a huge success! We can't thank all of those who participated this year! From our corporate sponsors to the volunteers who helped pack, load and deliver! Even though we gave gifts to over 225 of our heroes at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA and to over 250 of the 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, the true gifts received were the smiles, handshakes, hugs and chats our brave men & women gave to us in return!

Enjoy our Christmas 2010 in pictures!

Megan & Debbie on guard at Balboa Naval Hospital while we unload!

Actor Nick Searcy, tar FX Justified greets the 5th Marines

Omar Searcy surrounded by true American Heroes

Annie Nelson, Nick Searcy, Omar Searcy & Carol Nelson with the 5th Semper Fi

The Marines had to teach Annie how to shoot

Annie places a memorial wreath at the Memorial Wall for the 5th for those lost in Iraq & Afghanistan

Omar gets his target!

Seargant Major, Nick Searcy, Annie & Colonel Buhl

Volunteers at work stuffing the Christmas coolers for our heroes

The group at the Microsoft Store after all 500 coolers were stuffed!

2010 4th Annual Christmas project for our wounded and other warriors!

2010-12-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

2010 4th Annual Christmas project for our wounded warriors & other veterans!

It's that time of year again! Except we have exciting things already happening for this years Christmas project for our combat wounded and other warriors!

This years corporate sponsors so far:

Argosy University

www.argosy.edu

Snap On Tools

www.snapon.com

Snyders of Hanover Pretzels

www.snydersofhanover.com

Uptone Pictures

www.uptonepictures.com

Red Rock Hotel & Resort Las Vegas

www.redrocklasvegas.com

Valic Insurance

www.valic.com

Arbonne International

www.arbonne.com

On behalf of everyone involved with the American Soldier Network we thank you all! We also extend our gratitude to the individuals who have sent in checks and made donations on our web site! Because of all of you we are able to give our heroes a wonderful Christmas package!

If you are in the Orange County CA area we need volunteers to help us package all 500 packs. We will be stuffing on Wednesday December 15, 2010 at the Microsoft Store at the Shops at Mission Mall! We will begin at 1:00 pm. We are turning the Microsoft Store into Santa's American Soldier Network workshop! Come out and enjoy the wonderful fellowship of fellow Americans who all want to give back to those who have given so much for us!

If you know of any companies who would like to donate items or financial assistance towards this years project please let them know! All donations need to be delivered by 12/13/2010. Send donations to

AMERICAN SOLDIER NETWORK

24000 Alicia Parkway

#17 - 244

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Make donations via our web site donations page!

Christmas Project 2009

Military Appreciation Day Labor Day 2010 @ Del Mar Races, CA

2010-08-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

On Labor Day Sept 6th, 2010 a group of several patriotic thoroughbred race horse owners
(Bob Bone, Scott Gunther, Jim Robinson, Ron (Yogi) Brewer, and Pablo Suarez) are having thier 3rd Military Appreciation Day to be held in the Seabiscuit Room at Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar CA. http://www.dmtc.com/ This year they have partnered with the American Soldier Network for this very special day!

We are hosting 150 men and women from our armed forces. In past years they hosted all Marines but this year we invited several from the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, who may be from any branch of the US armed forces. It will be a special group of brave young men and women. Our goal is to make sure they have a great day at the races and to show our appreciation for what they do for us.

If involved in racing, there will be a donation jar in the paymasters office at Del Mar where you can donate. Please make checks out to the American Soldier Network, a 501c3 tax exempt organization, your generous donations may written off. The donations will go to helping make this very speial day happen for our brave men and women, as well as raise money for local organizations who are supporting them throughout the year. (the owners are picking up the majority of the actual expenses). They will be providing a great buffet and drinks in addition to other goodies for our heroes. The troops are put into teams of which are headed by several race track personalities. We have a handicapping tournament, take the teams to the paddock to share in the "owner" experience of saddeling a horse prior to the race followed by the winners circle for the amazing experience of the WIN. In beween races we will have the entire group line the finish line for a short ceremony so all of the public audience can pay tribute to our countries finest and much more. It is a real nice day for them. Any money left over will be donated to a few wonderful organizations supporting our heroes. The last few years the owners we were able to make a sizable donation to the Semper Fi Fund.

Please help pass the word around. Your support is greatly appreciated! If any of you will be at the races on the 6th and you can shake a hand or two. Here are a few photos from years past!

FOR DONATIONS, VIA http://www.americansoldiernetwok.org/ cick on DONATE NOW

WE ACCEPT VISA/MASTERCARD OR DISCOVER
BE SURE TO PUT IN "Del Mar Day" in comments for your funds to be specificaly designated for this wonderful day!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

Military Aprreciation Day 2008

Honoring America's Brave, Spreading an attitude of Gratitude!

Christmas Stockings for Soldiers, Our Annual holiday drive!

2009-12-25T00:18:00.000-08:00

BE SANTAS HELPERS! HO HO HO it's right around the corner! It's time to roll up our sleeves and gather goods for our Stockings for Soldiers Our goal this year is 400! These will be delivered to our combat wounded who are hospitalized as well as to homeless/disabled Vietnam Veterans!

YOU CAN HELP BY:

Sponsoring a stocking or two, or three....

Blast out this blog to everyone, you never know who may be in a position to have their company donate 400 items to go in the stockings. Or who may want to contribute gifts in kind or funds for this project!

WHO: American Soldier Network

WHAT: Stockings campaign

WHERE: Send all donations or stocking sponsor funds to

American Soldier Network

24000 Alicia Parkway #17 Suite 244

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

WHEN: By Thanksgiving 11/26/09

HOW:

We need everyone's help! Stockings cost approx $25.00 each

WHAT TYPE OF ITEMS?

Christmas stockings
pocket games
playing cards
small electronic games
batteries for electronic games
cd's
dvd's
small books
calendars for 2010
fun novelty items
non chocolate candy
non peanut snacks
game books
puzzle books
pencils, pens for the game books
items to help pass time while hospitalized

Please let us know! Email us if you or someone you know is sending goodies so we can get receipt letters and coordinate!

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE WE ARE A 501C3 TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION

LET'S ALL GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR ALL

With deep heart felt gratitude, thank you!

Annie Nelson

Founder

Country Cares: Orange County Holiday Fundraiser Event to Support Our Troops

2009-11-16T16:50:00.001-08:00

Help support the troops by joining the American Soldier Network for a holiday fund-raising event November 21st at 8pm!

Listen to the Country Cares commercial below or click the image to enlarge for more info...

Can't see or hear the player above? Click here.

Please bring stocking stuffers to donate or sponsor a stocking with a cash donation.
*Click here for a list of items to stuff stockings with*

Visit the Cowboy Country Saloon website for more info.

Project Welcome Home

2009-09-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

The goal of our American Soldier Network is to change the face of national television by creating shows that honor, thank and raise awareness of our soldiers/veterans needs once they are back home. Here is just one of our shows in development.

We have to self produce so here's how YOU can help?

Spread the word. SUBSCRIBE to blog now also;

Network any television contacts for us.
Fund raise on our behalf.
Post comments and share our story.

Thanking soldiers, it can be quite simple. Americans owe our troops a thank you!

2009-09-16T21:49:00.000-07:00

When I was in San Antonio last month, I was having lunch at Cracker Barrel and noticed a young couple with an infant out of the corner of my eye. I knew they were military, they had the look and we were across the street from Brook Army Medical Center. The sadness in their eyes and expressions on their face pulled at my heart strings and I quietly asked the waitress to give me their lunch check and just simply tell them Thank You!

Well, they got it out of the waitress who bought their lunch so I went over and spent a few moments. I gave them a business card and simply said, thank you both for your silent sacrifices and service to our country. I am forever grateful. It was a very touching moment, I left and figured I would never hear from them. I just got this email via face book. Now this is what my crusade is all about! Afterall the American Soldier Network is touching lives daily, changing our country, spreading an attitude of gratitude one one neighbor, one friend, one colleague, one American at a time! Join me, help support the efforts of the http://www.americansoldiernetwork.org/ , we can't do it alone! We need everyone's help! Now here's the email names and cities removed for privacy, read and reflect!
God bless!

September 14 at 6:08pm

I just wanted to say Thank you for all you do. I met you once at a cracker barrel in Texas. I was with my husband SGT.+++ We were going home after a long day at BAMC. Where he was diagnosed with TBI. He is being treated and seen now daily at home. I had the little baby boy. We actually have five children in all. I just wanted to say hello! You ask that we keep in touch and I wanted to tell you that you were a blessing that day to meet. We were struggling to pinching pennies to get back and forth to BAMC. That day you do not know how much you were a blessing to us. I promised to keep in touch and that is why I looked you up. I was wondering what all you do. My husband has been to IRAQ 3 times. Two before ever meeting me. I met him during his 3rd tour and I was getting out of an highly abusive marriage. We kinda found each other and were pen pals ourselves. No intentions of being more, but God had other plans. He is truly the love of my life and my children's. I am amazed at how things turned out. Anyhow I just wanted to say Hi!

Become a fan on face book
http://www.facebook.com/annieinsports?ref=profile#/pages/Mission-Viejo-CA/American-Soldier-Network/46242186870?ref=ts

Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/forRtroops
Follow our founder Annie on http://twitter.com/annieinsports

Military child doing good. Thanks American Soldier Network!

2009-09-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

Every now and then you get a little note, call, email or message that hits home and makes you realize that no matter how big the mountain is to climb you are on the right path and the climb is so worth the effort. I received one of those letters this weekend and wanted to share. Out of the mouths of babes is so powerful. This young girl, daughter of an Army soldier gets it and in a big way. Now if more adults could get it like she does our country would be the beacon of light we used to be!

As our American Soldier Network grows we can reach out and help raise awareness for more groups who are doing right by our veterans! Your support goes a long way so keep on spreading the word and helping us to make a DIFFERENCE!

Here was my email:

Hi Annie,

My name is Kenzie Hall. I am 11 years old and started a non profit called Brat Pack 11 for military kids when my dad left for Afghanistan. I read all about your foundation and I think it is amazing! I pasted a letter from me that tells about who we are. I am having a website built and planning my first charity event to support military kids of deployed or fallen servicemen and servicewomen. The first family we are helping is the Cpt Yllescas family. Cpt Yllescas was deployed with my dad in Afghanistan but didn't make it back. You can read more about them in their blog and in my letter below.

I am having a brochure made and attached a rough draft and a phot of me my sister and dad the day he came home.

Thank you Annie!

Kenzie Hall

BP11
http://www.yllescasfamily.blogspot.com/

Blogg by founder Annie Nelson

Navy Cross Marine Jeremiah Workman throws out first pitch at the LA Angels of Anaheim game Sept. 11, 2009

2009-09-08T19:52:00.001-07:00

Over a year ago while attending the GI Film Festival in Washington DC, I met Staff Sergant Jeremiah Workman. Decorated with the Navy Cross a honor of valor second only to the Medal of Honor, for his efforts in Iraq while serving the contry and the Marines. Jeremiah and I had an intstant connection . Our mutual passions for raising awareness for our troops and changing the attitude of our nation. Jeremiah soon became an advisory board member of my American Soldier Network. Together we travel this nation raising awareness for PTSD, wounded warriors, veterans, our charity American Soldier Network and now his book which will release on 9/15/09 on random house "Shadow of the Sword". This is a powerful account of his journey to Iraq and back. The emotional battlefield he had to live through, his family life, his military life and battling PTSD. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

This Friday 9/11/09 as we recogonize the day that changed our nation forever the LA Angels of Anaheim have invited Jeremiah to come throw out the ceremonial first pitch before their game against the Chicago White Sox. Jeremiah and I, will be once again together, raising awareness for our organization's efforts as well as introducing his book "Shadow of the Sword" to the people of Southern California.

Come out to the game and say "hello". We both would love to say hello! Be sure weather you can get out to the game or not to always say thank you to our veterans and troops! They all deserve our gratitude no matter what your views on politics are. As one of our nations great leaders said long long ago, "Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." A. Lincoln God bless America and our troops! Blogg by American Soldier Network founder Annie Nelson Photo below: Annie Nelson & Jeremiah Workman http://www.jeremiahworkmam.com/ http://www.americansoldiernetwork.org/

American Soldier Network in 2009

2009-04-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

Greetings! It has truly been a busy 2009. We have launched a face book page American Soldier Network. We have all of the photos of our events currently posted there. There you will find the photos from our night with Gary Sinsie and the Lt. Dan Band at the Coach House. It was a very special evening and Gary Sinise is a great man. That was followed by a day for our donors on the set of CSI NY. Gary donated a day on the set as a live auction item for our Cowboy Country event last Dec. and we finally made that day a reality! It was a magical day! Ben, Gary's long time make up artist was a most gracious co-host while Gary was doing his scenes. Then in April we were invited by Le Tip International and the Housewives of the OC to be a part of their networking mixer. A fun evening had by all. We continue to focus the bulk of our efforts on securing funding for our Project Welcome Home. Thank you to all who support us. Our veterans and presently serving men and women and amazing and their dedication and sacrifice is to be honored 24/7.

A Peter White's Christmas Jazz Concert

2009-01-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

Music made a magical night of thanks and appreciation. We were able to host a group of our Army and their wives at a Peter Whites Christmas Concert at the Grove of Anaheim on 12/23/08! Thank you to Mr. Derek Quinn of www.DQPRo.com & www.GreenSceneJazzSeries.com for your gracious donation of the tickets for our heroes. They had a night away from work and to just absorb some wonderful music, family, friends and fun!

08 Christmas Stockings for Soldiers Project

2009-01-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

MISSION COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We did it! Over 300+ stuffed Christmas stockings went to our nations heroes! We delivered over 250 to our combat wounded at Baloba Naval Hospital, we shipped 60+ to our deployed special operations men in the middle east and we delivered 50+ to our homeless Vietnam Veterans at the VA in Los Angeles. Thank you to all who gave of their time, finances, product and prayers! This was truly a huge success and we touched so many lives of those who have given so much for us! Freedom is not free and to be able to give a small token of our appreciation to those who silently sacrifice so much was a true gift! The men and women who proudly wear our nation's uniforms to serve and protect each of us and our freedoms are amazing people who deserve our deepest gratitude! Enjoy the photos below of this amazing project and again thank you!

2008 Cowboy Country Event

2009-01-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Howdy Ya'll.... On Saturday 12/6/08 we had a Celebrate our troops and the holidays fund raiser at http://www.cowboycountry.mu/ in Long Beach, CA. It was a great time had by all. We had a 3.5 foot tall balloon cowboy boot that we had a "fill this boot with cash" fund raiser, actor Gary Sinise matched every dollar raised by the boot. The boot raised $ 1,050.00 AND with Gary's match it really raised $ 2,100.00!!!!! Thank you Gary! We also had a live auction, opportunity drawing and Cowboy Country had a shooter bar upstairs that gave $1.00 per shot sold. Overall it was a great success for us! It helped our 2008 Christmas Stockings for our Soldiers project! Thanks to all who donated goodies for the stockings, bought drawing tickets, bought live auction items, threw $$ in the boot and to those who bought shots at the shooter bar! Also many thanks to those who volunteered their time to help make the night such a special evening. Below are some fun pics from that night! Yee haw!

Supporting troops, thanking troops, tax exempt charity for our troops, year in photos

2008-12-31T20:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a scrap book of our 2008! Enjoy

2008 Wins for Warriors @ Del Mar Thoroughbred Race Track,

participating owners, trainers and jockeys pledge $ from each win to

American Soldier Network!

29 Palms with Gary Sinise and our amazing Marines.

2008 Super Bowl in Arizona, Kevin Sorbo and Annie spreading the word and raising awareness for our efforts!

On location with the Western USO Mobil unit and Pam Fairbanks

At the 2008 Prism Awards, Beverly Hills, CA

Sending off our Amy's best, headed out for a 12 month tour in Iraq.

The Schertz girls hanging with Tom Arnold, finally some smiles and joy!

non profit for troops, 501c3 tax exempt working for veterans, the history

2008-11-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

Making visits, celebrating our heroes and exploring their needs..... Actor Sean Astin

Christmas 2007, delivering stuffed Christmas Stockings to our combat wounded. The first annual Stocking Project!

The Early Years of American Soldier Network

2008-11-25T14:14:00.001-08:00

In 1996, seeing a need for companionship for children fighting for life in hospitals as well as seniors confined to convalescent homes alone, Annie Nelson and friends created Angels Within Inc. a 501c3, because we believe everyone has their own Angel Within! This was a organization of donated time and not funds. We remained small, until our founder Annie Nelson had an epiphany while visiting Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio Texas almost 10 years later. You are about to experience the transformation in pictures below. We still believe everyone has their own Angel Within, now it is up to each of us to tap into that and spread an attitude of gratitude across our amazing country and say Thank You and Welcome Home to our nations brave heroes! Join US!

09/11/2001 the United States is devastated. The years that follow, like many other Americans Annie Nelson feels compelled to do "something" but not sure what.

2004 USMC Jesse Schertz of Illinois is deployed to Iraq, along with cousin USMC Adam Schertz and USMC Tyler Ziegel, they become Annie's first 3 pen pals.

Jesse Schertz

Adam Schertz & his Mom

2004, USMC Jesse Schertz & pen pal Annie Nelson become buds through letters!

12/2004 USMC Jesse Schertz, Tyler Ziegel & 6 others are in a convoy when a suicide bomber hits their truck!

Annie learns of Jesse Schertz bombing and arrival at Brook Army Medical Center, San Antonio TX.

Spring 2005 Annie travels to Brook Army Medical center to say Welcome Home & meet her pen pals. A truly life changing experience and the American Soldier Network is born, the seeds for Project Welcome Home are planted.

At Brook, Ted Nuget shares healing music.... Jesse, Tyler & other heroes listen on.

Summer 2005 Dave Weiderman joins our crusade & encourages music great Steve Miller to send his support!

Fall of 2006 Frank Wheaton & Paula Schertz attend a American Soldier Network function.

Fall 2006 Carol Nelson, Frank Wheaton, Matt Mc Mahon & Annie support the wives of our fallen special forces men. Fund raising at it's finest?

Winter 2006 Michael Bolton joins us and hosts the Bob Hope LAX USO golf tournament.